SPL clubs desperately hoping to benefit from a bidding war between Sky and ESPN for the right to show their games are set to be disappointed - to the tune of £40million.

The two broadcasters are reported to be ready to link up rather than fight it out to replace Setanta as rights holders.

This could result in a take-it-or-leave-it offer to the SPL for the next five years which will be significantly less than the £139m which had been agreed with Setanta until 2014.

The sum of £100m has been reported, and this would be bad news for every SPL club who would have to accept a substantial decrease in TV revenue.

SPL chief executive Lex Gold had hoped that he would not have to accept a cut-price offer and has been searching for any other option to present to the clubs.

But in the current market, he always knew there would be few serious players.

The Sky/ESPN package would see games split between the two broadcasters, with live matches moving around weekend slots to suit the schedules as Sky already have the prime times occupied with their Premier League action.

The fear is that this could mean a return, at least on occasions, to the 6.05 Sunday night kick- offs which proved so unpopular with fans.

The ideal scenario would have been for Sky and ESPN to slug it out and thus ensure the price paid to the SPL remained high.

But by joining forces, the SPL clubs are set to lose out, which is bad news for moneymen around the country.

However, there will also be a sigh of relief from many that some deal could be put in place before the season begins.

With several clubs relying on TV money for around 35 per cent of their income, players have already been told they will not be offered new contracts, while transfer activity has been put on hold.